Samskip

What Samskip does

Samskip is a European multimodal logistics company headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands, that provides integrated transportation solutions spanning container shipping, road, and rail across European routes. The company operates container vessels between Norway and the Netherlands and serves enterprise B2B customers requiring multimodal transport services. Samskip employs approximately 1,800 people and generates roughly €900 million in annual revenue. The primary entity is Samskip Holding B.V. (Netherlands), with Samskipum hf. operating in Iceland; the company has an affiliation with Eimskipafélag Íslands hf., an Icelandic shipping firm listed on NASDAQ Iceland.

Samskip's core offering is multimodal logistics services encompassing shipping, forwarding, and supply chain solutions across European corridors, with revenue generated through transaction fees on transport services and quote-based, multi-year enterprise contracts. Beyond conventional operations, Samskip is pioneering the development of the world's first liquid hydrogen-powered container ships, integrating Ballard Power Systems' FCwave 200kW fuel cell engines (32 units totaling 6.4 MW across two vessels) — the world's first DNV type-approved fuel cell systems for marine applications. The hydrogen vessel initiative is part of Samskip's green shipping strategy aligned with the Port of Rotterdam Authority's goal to make the port CO2-neutral by 2050, and is backed by a €22.5 million investment from Eurazeo (December 2023) and ENOVA green transition funding.

Samskip operates a B2B enterprise sales motion with dedicated account management, supported by a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales CRM deployment implemented across its Multimodal business unit by partner Onited. Strategic partners include Ballard Power Systems (fuel cell technology), Port of Rotterdam Authority (infrastructure alignment), ENOVA (Norwegian government green funding), and Eurazeo (private capital). Customer names are not broadly disclosed; Alcoa appears as a counterparty in commercial litigation, indicating an enterprise-scale relationship within the company's customer base.

Name

Samskip

Legal name

Samskipum hf.

Website

https://samskip.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Samskip is a Rotterdam-based European multimodal logistics company providing container shipping and integrated transport services across European routes. With ~1,800 employees and ~€900M in revenue, it is pioneering the world's first liquid hydrogen-powered container ships operating between Norway and the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Multimodal Logistics Services

NAICS

Marine Cargo Handling (488320), Water Transportation (483), Support Activities for Transportation (488)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Stevedoring & Vessel Loading/Discharging (Ship-to-Shore Operations) (TLAHALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Project & OOG/Breakbulk Ocean Forwarding (Out-of-Gauge, RoRo) (TLACABAH), Terminal Cargo Handling & Yard Operations (Receiving, Staging, Delivery) (TLAHALAB)

Keywords

• Multimodal logistics
• Container shipping
• Green shipping
• Hydrogen propulsion
• Supply chain transport

Headquarters

HQ city

Rotterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Multimodal Logistics Services: Samskip generates revenue through multimodal logistics and transport services, offering shipping, forwarding, and logistics solutions across Europe. The company operates container vessels and provides integrated transport solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Samskip provides multimodal logistics and transport services across European shipping routes, integrating container shipping, rail, and road transport into end-to-end supply chain solutions. The company is pioneering the development of the world's first liquid hydrogen-powered container ships in partnership with Ballard Power Systems, delivering zero-emission maritime freight between Norway and the Netherlands. Revenue is generated via transaction-based fees on enterprise multimodal logistics contracts.

Product overview

Samskip is a European logistics and transport company with approximately €900 million in revenue and 1,800 employees, offering multimodal logistics services. The company operates container vessels between Norway and the Netherlands and is pioneering the development of liquid hydrogen-powered container ships—the world's first—utilizing Ballard Power Systems' FCwave™ fuel cell technology with 6.4 MW marine fuel cell engines. Samskip has also implemented Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales CRM across its Multimodal business unit to enhance sales visibility and customer satisfaction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Multimodal Logistics Services End-to-end multimodal logistics and transport solutions integrating container shipping, rail, and road freight for enterprise B2B customers across European shipping routes. The service targets shippers needing integrated supply chain transport, with reduced-emission options via green maritime technology.
• Liquid Hydrogen-Powered Container Ships Pioneering zero-emission maritime container shipping service using liquid hydrogen propulsion and Ballard FCwave marine fuel cells. Designed for enterprise freight customers on the Norway-Netherlands corridor seeking to decarbonize their maritime supply chains.

Quantifiable outcome

• Exceeded sales targets in H2 2023 following CRM deployment

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Ballard Power SystemscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Ballard Power Systems secured a 6.4 MW marine fuel cell order (32 FCwave 200kW engines) from eCap Marine for Samskip vessels operating between Norway and the Netherlands. The FCwave modules are the world's first DNV type-approved fuel cell systems for marine applications. Collaboration began in 2021.
• OnitedcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023Onited implemented Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales CRM for Samskip after three previously failed implementation attempts. Onited provided change management support, user training, and ongoing optimization, enabling Samskip to become more data-driven.
• Port of Rotterdam AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSamskip's liquid hydrogen-powered container ships project was highlighted by the Port of Rotterdam Authority as one of the top 10 energy and raw materials transition projects, supporting Rotterdam's goal to become a CO2-neutral port by 2050.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Eimskipafélag Íslands hf. Eimskip is the publicly traded Icelandic parent of Samskip, operating container shipping and logistics services in the North Atlantic. It is comparable as Samskip's parent and overlapping operator on European and transatlantic routes with similar container liner and forwarding services.
• DFDS: DFDS is a Danish ferry and logistics operator providing multimodal transport across Northern Europe, including sea, road, and rail services. Directly comparable to Samskip in serving European B2B customers with integrated freight and logistics solutions on similar intra-European corridors.
• Stena Line: Stena Line is a Swedish ferry and shipping operator providing freight and passenger services across Northern Europe. It is comparable to Samskip as a multimodal freight provider operating Northern European short-sea routes with similar enterprise customer focus.
• P&O Ferries: P&O Ferries is a UK-based ferry operator providing freight and passenger services across European short-sea routes. Comparable to Samskip as a Northern European freight operator with similar route structures and B2B cargo customer base.
• Unifeeder: Unifeeder is a Danish short-sea container shipping and logistics company operating across European routes. It is comparable to Samskip in providing feeder container shipping and multimodal logistics services with similar Northern European geographic focus.

Broad incumbents

• CMA CGM: CMA CGM is a French global container shipping and logistics group with major investments in alternative fuels including LNG, methanol, and ammonia. Comparable to Samskip as a broader container shipping incumbent pursuing green-propulsion strategies at greater scale.
• A.P. Moller-Maersk: Maersk is the world's largest container shipping company with extensive multimodal logistics services and significant green-shipping R&D investments. Comparable to Samskip as a global incumbent with overlapping container shipping and end-to-end logistics offerings, though at vastly greater scale.
• Hapag-Lloyd: Hapag-Lloyd is a German global container shipping line with a strong European customer base. Comparable to Samskip as a broader incumbent offering container shipping and integrated logistics, including green shipping initiatives.
• MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company: MSC is one of the world's largest container shipping lines with global multimodal logistics services. Comparable to Samskip as a broader incumbent operating container vessels, port investments, and integrated logistics across European and global trade lanes.

Emerging players

• WEC Lines: WEC Lines is a Dutch short-sea container shipping operator focused on European and West African routes. Comparable to Samskip as a smaller Northern European container shipping and logistics provider with similar geographic and customer segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/samskip

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Samskip